Los Angeles Rams news, rumors and injuries

Los Angeles Rams DT Aaron Donald's holdout may last into the regular season, according to sources. One source posited that Donald could sit out the 2017 season. The two sides will remain in touch, but a new deal does not seem to be on the horizon.

Los Angeles Rams WR Tavon Austin (hamstring) will be used in a similar role as he has in the past, according to general manager Les Snead. "We haven't figured out how much he evolves as a receiver in this offense because he hasn't had a chance to play," Snead said. "Plan to see him used very similarly to how he's been used in the past. By that I mean, he's scored as a receiver, he's scored as a running back, he's scored as a returner. That's why we like him. He threatens the opposing team in many different ways. We've just got to get him healthy."

Fantasy Tip: Austin offered a glimmer of hope of justifying his No. 8 overall pick status in 2015 with a 52-473-5 receiving line and a 52-434-4 rushing line. He's a small receiver that you can do a lot of things with, but the previous regime couldn't make him enough of a factor. He has WR5 viability, but it's unlikely he'll be a consistent fantasy source.

Fantasy Tip: Watkins will need some time to learn the Rams offense, so it is not known how much playing time he will receive Saturday. Watkins probably will be the Rams' top receiver this season and should see plenty of targets. He probably should be considered a low-end No. 2 or a No. 3 receiver in fantasy leagues.

Los Angeles Rams WR Tavon Austin (hamstring) will not participate in practice this week because of a hamstring injury. Head coach Sean McVay said the team is not sure if Austin will play in any preseason games.

Fantasy Tip: Owners will need to keep an eye on the situation to see if Austin will be ready for the start of the regular season. He probably will be the No. 3 or No. 4 receiver for the Rams this season and may see fewer targets because of the addition of Sammy Watkins. He could be a No. 5 receiver in some leagues or a waiver wire option during the season.

Fantasy Tip: Watkins has loads of talent, but staying healthy was already a problem, and the quarterback situation in Los Angeles is far from ideal. He should be considered a high-upside WR3 at this point.

Fantasy Tip: The Rams' top three receivers figure to be Watkins, Robert Woods and rookie Cooper Kupp, so Austin will likely be limited to four-wide sets as a receiver. However, he could see more action as a returner and the team could try to use him to fill the scatback role they had previously envisioned for Lance Dunbar. Regardless, it's hard to envision Austin seeing enough time on offense this year to be relevant in fantasy.

Los Angeles Rams DL Aaron Donald did not participate in OTAs or minicamp this spring and is more than two weeks into a holdout during training camp as he seeks a contract that makes him one of the game's highest-paid defensive players. General manager Les Snead indicated recently there has "not (been) any movement, (but) there is hope. … Hope you'll be a Ram for a long time."

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead said the team is interested in signing WR Sammy Watkins to a long-term contract since he is entering the last year of his contract. The two sides have not had contract talks at this point.

Fantasy Tip: Watkins should be the No. 1 receiver for the Rams this season but is still a risky option because of his injury history. He has joined another team that likes to run the ball, but he should receive a solid amount of targets in the passing game. He can be considered a No. 2 receiver in most fantasy leagues.

Fantasy Tip: Austin's fantasy stock pretty much plummets with Watkins' arrival, but the Rams are doing the right thing by keeping him around since their new addition is such an injury risk. As long as Watkins is healthy, Austin figures to remain a bit of a gadget player and someone they may look to use a bit more in the role they had planned for Lance Dunbar, given the fact Austin has played running back from time to time. With that said, Austin can be left on the wire in most normal-sized leagues.

Fantasy Tip: The Rams desperately needed a lead receiver and they will get one with the injury-prone Watkins, who will reunite with Robert Woods in Los Angeles and play the DeSean Jackson role in new head coach Sean McVay's offense. Watkins' arrival gives Jared Goff a fighting chance to be a quality fantasy quarterback as well. Watkins should still be considered no better than a high-upside WR2 given his durability issues.

Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp has impressed his coaching staff, according to head coach Sean McVay, who has already listed the rookie wideout as a starter in the team's preliminary depth chart. "He always has a plan at the line of scrimmage, understands coverages and route concepts, and I think that's what enables him to be such a productive player and very advanced for a rookie," McVay said. "He's one of the more mature rookies that I've ever been around and we're expecting some good things from him moving forward."

Fantasy Tip: Given the Rams' lack of depth at receiver, Kupp will certainly be in a position to contribute right away, which could make him a solid sleeper pick. At the same time, though, his potential success will largely hinge on the continued development of sophomore quarterback Jared Goff, who struggled mightily a season ago. Thus, it'll be difficult putting too much stock into Goff's supporting cast.